The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing: Essential Characteristics

2.
The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared
pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that
can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.
This cloud model is composed of five essential characteristics, three service models, and four deployment
models.
Essential Characteristics:
On-demand self-service. A consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as

server time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human
interaction with each service provider.
Broad network access. Capabilities are available over the network and accessed through standard
mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g.,
mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and workstations).
Resource pooling. The provider’s computing resources are pooled to serve multiple consumers
using a multi-tenant model, with different physical and virtual resources dynamically
assigned and reassigned according to consumer demand. There is a sense of location
independence in that the customer generally has no control or knowledge over the exact
location of the provided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher level of
abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter). Examples of resources include storage,
processing, memory, and network bandwidth.
Rapid elasticity. Capabilities can be elastically provisioned and released, in some cases
automatically, to scale rapidly outward and inward commensurate with demand. To the
consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can
be appropriated in any quantity at any time.
Measured service. Cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource use by leveraging
a metering capability1 at some level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g.,
storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can be
monitored, controlled, and reported, providing transparency for both the provider and
consumer of the utilized service.
Service Models:
Software as a Service (SaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is to use the provider’s
applications running on a cloud infrastructure 2. The applications are accessible from
various client devices through either a thin client interface, such as a web browser (e.g.,
web-based email), or a program interface. The consumer does not manage or control the
underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage, or
even individual application capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-
specific application configuration settings.
Platform as a Service (PaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is to deploy onto the cloud
infrastructure consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming
1
Typically this is done on a pay-per-use or charge-per-use basis.
2
A cloud infrastructure is the collection of hardware and software that enables the five essential characteristics of cloud
computing. The cloud infrastructure can be viewed as containing both a physical layer and an abstraction layer. The physical
layer consists of the hardware resources that are necessary to support the cloud services being provided, and typically includes
server, storage and network components. The abstraction layer consists of the software deployed across the physical layer,
which manifests the essential cloud characteristics. Conceptually the abstraction layer sits above the physical layer.
2
languages, libraries, services, and tools supported by the provider.3 The consumer does
not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers,
operating systems, or storage, but has control over the deployed applications and possibly
configuration settings for the application-hosting environment.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). The capability provided to the consumer is to provision
processing, storage, networks, and other fundamental computing resources where the
consumer is able to deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating
systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud
infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage, and deployed applications;
and possibly limited control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).
Deployment Models:
Private cloud. The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a single organization
comprising multiple consumers (e.g., business units). It may be owned, managed, and
operated by the organization, a third party, or some combination of them, and it may exist
on or off premises.
Community cloud. The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for exclusive use by a specific
community of consumers from organizations that have shared concerns (e.g., mission,
security requirements, policy, and compliance considerations). It may be owned,
managed, and operated by one or more of the organizations in the community, a third
party, or some combination of them, and it may exist on or off premises.
Public cloud. The cloud infrastructure is provisioned for open use by the general public. It may be
owned, managed, and operated by a business, academic, or government organization, or
some combination of them. It exists on the premises of the cloud provider.
Hybrid cloud. The cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or more distinct cloud
infrastructures (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities, but are bound
together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data and application
portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load balancing between clouds).
3
This capability does not necessarily preclude the use of compatible programming languages, libraries, services, and tools from
other sources.

The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing: Essential Characteristics

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing: Essential Characteristics

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing: Essential Characteristics

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2.

The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing

On-demand self-service. A consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as

You might also like